Housing element for a writing instrument and writing instrument

ABSTRACT

A housing element for a writing instrument includes a hollow, sleeve-shaped, elongated base body having an opening for receiving the writing instrument or a pencil lead of the writing instrument at a first longitudinal end. The base body has a second longitudinal end, which is opposite the first longitudinal end, and has a retaining recess that is formed with a polygonal cross section for directly or indirectly retaining a bit in a rotationally fixed manner. A writing instrument including the housing element is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of GermanPatent Application DE 20 2018 100 158.2, filed Jan. 12, 2018; the priorapplication is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a housing element for a writing instrument. Inaddition, the invention relates to a writing instrument that has such ahousing element.

In addition to conventional pencils that may be sharpened—for example,graphite or colored pencils that have a mostly wood-sheathedcore—writing instruments are widely used that have a durable housing inwhich a pencil lead or writing liquid is held. Such writing instrumentsinclude, for example, mechanical or clutch pencils, fiber pens, fountainpens or the like. Such writing instruments often also have a (pen) capthat serves to protect the writing tip (for example, the pencil lead,quill, or fiber wick).

In the skilled labor sector in particular, comparatively large pencils(also called carpentry pencils) or other writing instruments are oftenused, commonly with a correspondingly enlarged pencil lead. In thatfield especially, the above-described (housing or pencil) cap frequentlyserves the additional function of keeping the corresponding writinginstrument easily available and accessible, for example on the workclothes of the worker. For that purpose, the cap is often enlarged intoa kind of holder that surrounds not just the tip of the writinginstrument, but in many cases surrounds most of the entire writinginstrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improvedhousing element for a writing instrument and a writing instrument, whichovercome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-knowndevices of this general type.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a housing element for a writinginstrument, including a hollow sleeve-shaped, elongated base body. Thisbase body in turn has an opening at a first longitudinal end, forreceiving either the writing instrument itself or a pencil lead for thewriting instrument. The base body also has a retaining recess at asecond longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end. Theretaining recess is formed with a polygonal cross section for eitherdirectly or indirectly retaining a bit in a rotationally fixed manner.

Here and below, the term “pencil lead” refers in particular to both a“true” pencil lead that grows shorter during writing, and a fiber wickthat serves to guide a writing liquid. Here and below, the term “bit”refers in particular to a tool part known as a “screwdriver bit,” whichserves to transmit torque to a screw. Here and below, the term “directlyretaining” signifies in particular that the respective bit, wheninserted normally, is inserted directly into the retaining recess. Hereand below, the term “indirectly retaining” signifies in particular thatwhen the respective bit is inserted normally, a bit holder is preferablyinterposed between the housing element and the bit. In the latter case,the retaining recess is constructed in particular for retaining this bitholder.

By providing the above-described retaining recess on the housingelement, according to the invention it is advantageously possible todispense with additionally carrying a corresponding tool, for example ascrewdriver, when carrying the writing instrument that includes thishousing element—and also at least one bit. Thus, for example, a workerinspecting a construction site, which may involve minor assemblyactivities at times, need not carry a screwdriver or entire screwdriverset, if the worker is carrying a writing instrument that has the housingelement according to the invention. In this case, the worker needs onlya bit or a few bits that are recognized to be easy to carry, e.g. in atrouser pocket.

In a preferred embodiment, the retaining recess has in particular aregular hexagonal cross-section. This means that the retaining recess isconstructed in particular as an Allen wrench socket (hex key socket).The inner dimensions of the retaining recess preferably correspond tothe outer dimensions on the drive side of a bit (which typically has acoupling section for coupling with a bit holder, chuck of a cordlessscrewdriver, or the like, in such a manner as to transmit force). Forexample, the retaining recess may have an inner dimension (“key width”)of ¼ inch.

Preferably, the base body is tapered in the region of the second endwith respect to the first end, that is, the base body has reduced outerdimensions at its second end. Regardless of that feature (but preferablyin addition), the outer dimensions of the base body at the second endexceed the outer dimensions of the bit or the bit holder to such aslight degree that it is possible to retain, and transmit torque to, thebit or bit holder in a sufficiently stable manner. Through the use ofsuch a tapering of the base body, places that are comparativelydifficult to reach may be reached when inserting the base body as a toolwith an inserted bit or bit holder.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing element is a cap for thewriting instrument, such as e.g. a non-mechanical pencil, mechanicalpencil or the like. Particularly preferably, this cap is formed as aholder for receiving the writing instrument (in particular a cap thathas greater longitudinal section than a conventional cap). In the lattercase, the housing element is formed with a longitudinal extent of atleast 50% of the longitudinal extent of the writing instrument.

In an alternative embodiment, the housing element is a pin housing forthe writing instrument, wherein the pin housing is used in particularfor retaining or mounting the pencil lead itself. In this case, thefirst longitudinal end of the base body constitutes the writing end ofthe writing instrument, the pencil lead being externally accessible foruse in writing through the opening disposed at this first longitudinalend. The retaining recess for receiving the bit or bit holder is formedin this case at the writing end opposite the “back end” of the writinginstrument itself.

In an expedient embodiment, the retaining recess is connected, through ashoulder that forms a bottom for the retaining recess, to an elongatedinner space that the base body encircles. In other words, the bottom ofthe retaining recess has an opening through which the retaining recessis fluidically connected to the inner space. The shoulder forming thebottom projects, in particular radially, from a side wall of theretaining recess into the inner space of the recess. The inner space ofthe base body is used in particular for the situation in which thehousing element is constructed at least as a cap that serves as areceptacle at least for the writing tip of the writing instrument, i.e.the tip of the pencil lead thereof. In the case of the holder, the innerspace is used in particular for receiving the writing instrument itself.The opening in the bottom of the retaining recess is used, in particularin the latter case, as a kind of “drain” through which contaminants (forexample dust and/or liquid) that have entered the inner space of thebase body may flow or fall out. The bottom of the retaining recess, orthe shoulder that serves to form the bottom, is expediently used as anaxial stop for the bit or bit holder.

In a further expedient embodiment, a locking catch protrudes from atleast one side wall of the retaining recess toward the inner side of therecess, in order to form-lockingly and/or force-lockingly retain the bitor the bit holder that carries the bit. Preferably, this locking catchis disposed in a corner formed between two adjoining side walls of theretaining recess. The bit or bit holder that has been inserted then isform-lockingly retained because commercially available-bits or bitholders have notches (for example, a so-called C-ring notch or a ballgroove) on their drive-side coupling section (which is commonlyconstructed as an external hex). In this case, the locking catch ispreferably disposed at a distance from the bottom of the retainingrecess that corresponds to the distance from the notch to the drive-sideend of the bit. If the bit inserted does not have any such notch, thelocking catch gives rise to a clamping action (“force-locking”) as aresult of a local reduction in the inner dimension of the retainingrecess. The locking catch thus advantageously prevents the bit or bitholder from slipping out of the retaining recess due to the effect ofgravity or a slight withdrawal force.

A form-locking connection is one which connects two elements togetherdue to the shape of the elements themselves, as opposed to aforce-locking connection, which locks the elements together by forceexternal to the elements.

In one embodiment, alternatively or optionally in addition to thelocking catch described above, magnetic material for magneticallyretaining the bit, or the bit holder carrying the bit, is disposed inthe region of the bottom of the retaining recess. For example, theshoulder that forms the bottom of the retaining recess may itself beformed from this magnetic material, for example, from a neodymiumcompound. Alternatively, a plate formed from this magnetic material, ora ring, is introduced into the inner space of the base body andconnected, e.g. glued, into the retaining recess or onto the shoulder.

In order to allow the greatest possible freedom of design in theformation of the base body, in an advantageous embodiment, it isinjection-molded from plastic. Preferably, the plastic used is afiber-reinforced plastic, for example a (short glass) fiber-reinforcedpolyamide or the like. As a result of the fiber reinforcement, the basebody has a comparatively high rigidity, thus making it possible totransmit a comparatively high torque to the bit with low risk ofdeforming the base body in the region of the retaining recess, forexample bursting the retaining recess. Optionally, it is also possiblethat the base body is manufactured in a multi-component injectionmolding process, wherein for example a region amounting to one third ofthe total length of the base body, around the second end that has theretaining recess, is made from the fiber-reinforced plastic, and theremaining areas of the base body are made from an unreinforced plastic(for example, respectively, a polyamide).

In a further expedient embodiment, the base body has a grip structure onits outside. In particular, the base body is formed with a polygonaland/or oval outer profile. As a result, the handling of the housingelement is improved when a bit is used for screwing a screw in or out.

In a further expedient embodiment, the housing element includes amounting bracket that is connected with the base body, preferablyintegrally (i.e. monolithically or in one piece), by using a fixed endin the region of the opening (i.e. the first end). This mounting bracketis oriented toward the second end of the base body by using its freeend, which faces away from the fixed end. The mounting bracket is usedin particular for a clamping retention of the entire housing element,and preferably of the holder that the housing element forms, to agarment of a user of the housing element or of the writing instrumentthat includes it. The mounting bracket, in this case, is disposed on thebase body in such a way that when the housing element is clamped to thegarment, for example, in a pocket, the opening that serves toaccommodate the writing instrument is open toward the same direction asthe pocket. In this way, the writing instrument is directly accessiblefrom the outside of the pocket, and the holder may remain on the garment(as such a holder typically would) when the writing instrument is beingused for writing or drawing.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is concomitantlyprovided a writing instrument including the housing element describedabove. In a variant, this housing element, as described above, is thehousing element that holds the pencil lead, i.e., in particular, the (inparticular permanent) body of the writing instrument itself. In analternative variant, however, the housing element is the above-describedcap, in particular the holder that is intended to be used with thewriting instrument. In the latter case, the inner space of the base bodyof the housing element is preferably adapted specifically to the writinginstrument it is intended to accommodate.

Here and below, the conjunction “and/or” signifies in particular thatthe features linked by this conjunction may be constructed not onlyjointly, but also as alternatives to one another.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a housing element for a writing instrument and a writing instrument,it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown,since various modifications and structural changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scopeand range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, side-elevational view of a housing element fora writing instrument;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, front-elevational view of the housing element;and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partly sectional view, taken along a lineIII-III of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows, showing the housingelement together with a bit to be held thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, in whichcorresponding parts and sizes are always assigned the same referencenumerals, and first, particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, there is seen adiagrammatic depiction of a housing element for a writing instrument,specifically a holder 1 for a carpenter's mechanical pencil (not shownin detail). The holder 1 includes a hollow, sleeve-shaped and elongatedbase body 2. The base body 2 encircles an inner space 4 (indicated inFIG. 1 by hidden edges). The inner space 4 is open to the environment ata first end of the base body 2, hereinafter referred to as the“insertion end 6,” through an opening hereinafter referred to as the“insertion opening 8.” The insertion opening 8 serves to receive thewriting instrument into the holder 1. In the region of the insertion end6, the holder 1 has a mounting bracket 10 that is fastened to the basebody 2 at a distance from the insertion end 6 that is slight compared tothe total length of the holder 1, and specifically compared to the totallength of the base body 1. Specifically, the mounting bracket 10 isformed integrally with the base body 2. The mounting bracket 10 isoriented with its free end 12 (or “clamping end”) toward the insertionend 6 opposite the second end of the base body 2, hereinafter referredto as the “tip end 14.” At the tip end 14, the base body 2 of the holder1 is constructed with reduced outer dimensions relative to the insertionend 6. In addition, a retaining recess 16 is introduced into the basebody 2 at the tip end 14, and this retaining recess has a profile in theform of a regular hexagon (see FIG. 2). The retaining recess 16 isspecifically constructed for receiving a bit 18 (see FIG. 3) or a bitholder.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the retaining recess 16 is bounded onthe bottom side, i.e. in the direction of the insertion end 6, by ashoulder 20 that projects toward the inside of the recess, i.e. toward alongitudinal axis of the retaining recess 16. The shoulder 20 does notcompletely close off the retaining recess 16 on the bottom side; rather,it keeps an opening 22 open between the retaining recess 16 and theinner space 4.

In order to allow the bit 18 or bit holder to be sufficiently securelyretained in the withdrawal direction of the bit 18 or bit holder, alocking catch 26 is formed in a corner between two side walls 24 of theretaining recess 16. This locking catch 26 is constructed in a mannercorresponding to a notch 28 that is often present in bits 18. Such anotch 28 is commonly formed on a (drive-side) coupling section 30 of thebit 18. This coupling section 30 has a hexagonal outer profile forcoupling with a bit holder, a chuck of a cordless screwdriver or thelike, in such a manner as to transmit force. The notch 28 in this caseis commonly formed at least in the corners of the coupling section 30 oras a ring encircling that section. When the bit 18 is inserted inside abit holder, C-rings or the like are often present in this notch 28 forform-lockingly retaining the bit 18 a. In the illustrated example of theholder 1, when normally coupled, the locking catch 26 engages in thenotch 28 and thus form-lockingly retains the bit 18 in the retainingrecess 16.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the bit 18 is formed inlongitudinal slot shape, for coupling with a screw head. In other words,the illustrated bit 18 serves as a “slot screwdriver.”

It may also be seen from FIG. 2 that the base body 2 has a polygonalouter profile, and specifically a rounded quadrangular outer profile.This outer profile forms a grip structure that makes it possible tosecurely grip the holder 1 when using the holder 1 as a screwdriver.

The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the exemplaryembodiment described above. A person of ordinary skill in the art willbe able to derive additional embodiments of the invention from theforegoing description.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and thecorresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

-   1 Holder-   2 Base body-   4 Inner space-   6 First end-   8 Insertion opening-   10 Mounting bracket-   12 Free end-   14 Tip end-   16 Retaining recess-   18 Bit-   20 Shoulder-   22 Opening-   24 Side wall-   26 Locking catch-   28 Notch-   30 Coupling section

The invention claimed is:
 1. A housing element for a writing instrument,the housing element comprising: a hollow, sleeve-shaped, elongated basebody having mutually opposite first and second longitudinal ends; saidbase body having an opening at said first longitudinal end for receivingthe writing instrument or a pencil lead of the writing instrument; andsaid base body having a retaining recess formed with a polygonal crosssection at said second longitudinal end for directly or indirectlyretaining a bit in a rotationally fixed manner; said retaining recesshaving side walls and a locking catch protruding from at least one ofsaid side walls for at least one of form-lockingly or force-lockinglyretaining the bit or a bit holder carrying the bit; said locking catchprotruding from a corner formed between an adjoining two of said sidewalls toward an inner side of said retaining recess.
 2. The housingelement according to claim 1, wherein said polygonal cross section ofsaid retaining recess is a hexagonal cross section.
 3. The housingelement according to claim 1, wherein the housing element is a holderfor the writing instrument.
 4. The housing element according to claim 1,wherein said base body encircles an elongated inner space, saidretaining recess has a shoulder forming a bottom for said retainingrecess, and said shoulder connects said retaining recess to saidelongated inner space.
 5. The housing element according to claim 1,wherein said retaining recess has a bottom and magnetic materialdisposed in a region of said bottom for magnetically retaining the bitor a bit holder carrying the bit.
 6. The housing element according toclaim 1, wherein said base body is an injection-molded plastic body. 7.The housing element according to claim 1, wherein said base body has anexterior with a grip structure.
 8. The housing element according toclaim 1, which further comprises a mounting bracket connected to saidbase body, said mounting bracket having a fixed end in a vicinity ofsaid first longitudinal end of said base body and a free end orientedtoward said second longitudinal end of said base body.
 9. A writinginstrument, comprising a housing element according to claim 1.